The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION to the

UNITED STATES SHIP WADSWORTH

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

“For extraordinary heroism in action as a fighter director ship on a radar picket station during the Okinawa campaign, April 17 to June 24 1945. A natural and frequent target for heavy Japanese aerial attack while occupying advanced and isolated stations, the U.S.S. WADSWORTH defeated all efforts of the enemy Kamikaze and dive-bombing planes to destroy her. Constantly vigilant and ready for battle, she sent out early air warnings, provided fighter direction and, with her own gunfire, downed six enemy planes, shared in the destruction of (7) others, routed many more, and rendered valiant service in preventing the Japanese from striking in force against our naval forces off the Okinawa beachhead. A gallant, fighting ship, the WADSWORTH, her officers and her men withstood the stress and perils of vital radar picket duty, achieving a distinctive combat record which attests the teamwork, courage and skill of her entire company and enhances the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”